Damian Martin did everything possible to give his Perth Wildcats a chance to force a deciding Semi Final Game 3 but the Cairns Taipans had too much poise in the final five minutes to win 80-68 at Perth Arena.

The Cairns Taipans might be healthy and one win from a Grand Final but despite the Perth Wildcats having lost Game 1, suffering another key injury and fighting the odds, the defending NBL Champions return for Game 2